Sislo scores twice as Devils roll over Phantoms, 4-2

GLENS FALLS — Mike Sislo and Rod Pelley scored shorthanded goals in the second period to power the Albany Devils to a 4-2 victory over the Adirondack Phantoms tonight in front of 4,007 at the Glens Falls Civic Center.

The victory was just the fourth in 12 games for the Devils, who have beaten only Bridgeport and Adirondack (twice each) in that span.

The Phantoms were shorthanded themselves the entire game, as five players were suspended as a result of their actions Sunday afternoon against Portland. Three of the team’s top four scorers — Kris Newbury, Tye McGinn and Ben Holmstrom — and No. 1 goaltender Cal Heeter were among those on the sidelines. Zack FitzGerald, a former Albany River Rats, also was suspended.

Sislo, who finished the night with two goals, snapped a 1-1 tie by stealing the puck at his own blue line and going in on a breakaway against Adirondack goalie Yann Danis two minutes into the second. Pelley pounced on a turnover, skated down the right-wing boards, and backhanded a shot past Danis with 41.5 seconds remaining in the period.

With the teams at even strength, Sislo made it 4-1 early in the third with his 15th of the season, a hard shot from between the face-off circles. That goal chased Danis in favor of little-used Carsen Chubak, who dressed only because Heeter was suspended.

Keith Kinkaid, making his first start since Feb. 8 because of a groin strain, made 30 saves for Albany. The Phantoms outshot the Devils, 32-23.

Albany’s Stefan Matteau scored the only goal of the first period, skating around Phantoms defenseman Brandon Manning.

Kyle Flanagan tied the game for Adirondack 30 seconds into the second period. Mark Alt’s shot from the right point took some strange hops on the ice and was deflected into the cage by Flanagan.

Adirondack’s other goal came on a rebound by Matt Mangene with 9:08 remaining.

The Devils return home for games at 5 p.m. Saturday against Norfolk and 3 p.m. Sunday against Utica.